What do you see when you look in the mirror?
Ask yourself this question and really think about how you see yourself. I bet if you answer truthfully you may not like what you see. In all honesty, I didn’t like what I saw in the mirror for a long time either. The thing is, we don’t view ourselves the way others see us. We rarely see all the good we have within and all the hidden potential is masked with self-doubt.
Growing up in the projects of the Bronx, life wasn’t always a picnic for me. I lost my mother at a very young age after watching her struggle with addiction for years. I’ve experienced a life of poverty and was primarily raised by my grandmother who always encouraged my education and continuously told me to write my own ticket in life.
For many women who’ve experienced hardship or poverty, life doesn’t always result in a positive outcome. It’s not easy to escape negative patterns and many people let their beginning define their ending. I had to quickly learn to take ownership of my life and my career.
I strongly believe in order to improve anything in your life personally or professionally it starts with YOU taking a good hard look at yourself.
Cultivating Self-Love
To truly be successful, we have to learn to love ourselves in spite of any setbacks. As women, we need to understand that we can always take ownership of our lives and start again. My life’s work is to teach business strategy and empowerment through self-love with my latest business venture the I’m Loving Me Project.
I strongly believe in order to improve anything in your life, personally or professionally, it starts with YOU taking a good hard look at yourself and making a decision to make those necessary changes to be a better person and entrepreneur. I’m Loving Me has become a movement and a digital space for women to share how they love themselves in spite of any setbacks.
With a series of empowering stories from women who have overcome adversity and learned to thrive, we’re sharing that needed inspiration and first-hand insight to light the initial spark. How you feel about yourself really does impact everything you do in life, including your career. Your biggest critic is the person you see every day when you look in the mirror.
I had to stop playing small in my life and in my business. I had to tell myself that I’m no longer going to tolerate the bad things that were happening because I was a woman. I, too, could negotiate, strategize and build a business. I could be successful just like my male counterparts. That person I saw in the mirror every day is enough, is smart, and can make her dreams come true.
My mission is to empower 1 million women worldwide by teaching self-love.
Using Self-Love to Cultivate Success
I went against the odds and used my past as leverage to motivate my success. Sure, I could have easily lived in New York and traveled down a negative path, but a strong will, eagerness, and inspiring teachers ignited a spark of ambition for my life.
Today, I am thriving as a teacher, entrepreneur, business strategist, author, and renegade for love. My personal mission is to empower 1 million women worldwide by teaching self-love.
Here are a few things I have learned—and how you can put them into motion in your own career and personal life.
Tips for Women in Business
Don’t just dabble in business. If you’re going to live your dream, you have to stay committed even when times get tough. Know that tough times will come but they only push you to grow further. Keep your overhead as low as possible and make sure everything you put out gives so much value to your customers, they would be a fool not to do business with you. The world needs you, so show them what you've got.
On Juggling Business and Personal Life
I make sure I take at least two days out of the week to have fun and recharge. I’ll go ride my bike, play tennis, or to the park to read. You can’t think clearly if you’re constantly working.
How to Empower Other Women
I hope to empower women by sharing my story, the stories of other women, and through education platforms and resources. I want them to know that they can truly live their dream. They don’t have to take a backseat anymore in their life or career—and those limiting beliefs they have about themselves are really strengths. They are there for you to share and empower others.
The Most Valuable Life Lessons I've Learned
Whatever you tolerate will never change. Your biggest critic is the person you see every day when you look in the mirror.
I had to stop playing small in my life and in my business and tell myself that I’m no longer going to tolerate the bad things that were happening because I was a woman. I, too, could negotiate, strategize and build a business and be successful just like my male counterparts.
That person I saw in the mirror every day is enough, is smart, and can make her dreams come true.
How Women Can Breakup with Doubt
Self-love gives you the strength to take a risk. It gives you the strength to believe in yourself and step out on faith when everyone else doubts.
The way to break up with doubt is to make progress. Even if it’s small. Progress in anything; life, or business. If you see that you are moving closer to your goal no matter how small it is, it increases your faith and it gives you confidence. If you can do it on a consistent basis, then doubt would be a distant memory.
